§ 136.485 Reconsideration of verdict which is not general verdict

When a jury comes back with a verdict that isn't clear or complete, the judge doesn't have to accept it right away. Instead, the judge can send the jury back to keep discussing the case. Before they go back, the judge will explain the law again so they understand what they need to decide.

The jury has to come back with a clear answer, either guilty or not guilty. The court can't accept a confusing or partial verdict. The judge will keep sending the jury back to talk it over until they reach a verdict that clearly shows what they decided.

This rule exists to make sure verdicts are clear for everyone involved. Nobody should have to guess what a jury actually decided. If it's not clear, the jury needs to keep working until it is.